Formula One's commercial rights owner Bernie Ecclestone believes that races in Europe are now "a thing of the past" and that Formula One needs to move further to the East.
In an interview with Sophie Shevardnadze of Russian TV the 84 year old was asked if there was a problem with Europe with there being no German Grand Prix in 2015, no French Grand Prix since 2008 and the British and Italian Grand Prix being reportedly under threat for the last decade.
Many people within the Formula One paddock have disagreed with Ecclestone's belief by stating that F1 need to hold onto its historic circuits instead of chasing after markets which are purely for money, such as the new for 2016 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi which debuted in 2014.
The former Brabham F1 Team owner also stated that he wasn't too keen on the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, which was only introduced to the F1 calendar in 2012. The US Grand Prix was to be partnered with a race in New Jersey which fell through after Ecclestone stated that the promoters were in breach of contract.
In an interview with Sophie Shevardnadze of Russian TV the 84 year old was asked if there was a problem with Europe with there being no German Grand Prix in 2015, no French Grand Prix since 2008 and the British and Italian Grand Prix being reportedly under threat for the last decade.
Many people within the Formula One paddock have disagreed with Ecclestone's belief by stating that F1 need to hold onto its historic circuits instead of chasing after markets which are purely for money, such as the new for 2016 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi which debuted in 2014.
The former Brabham F1 Team owner also stated that he wasn't too keen on the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, which was only introduced to the F1 calendar in 2012. The US Grand Prix was to be partnered with a race in New Jersey which fell through after Ecclestone stated that the promoters were in breach of contract.
The ex used car dealer told Shevardnadze that he isn't very "enthusiastic" about the US Grand Prix because "they believe they're the greatest sort of power in the world". He continued to say that the reason for this was because "they're a big island, so they're a bit isolated; they're slowly starting to learn what other people in the world do". Ecclestone is not one to shy away from controversy having previously said that Sepp Blatter was the right man for FIFA earlier this month.
These comments about America come just a week before the 4th Grand Prix at COTA which has been a big success as far and is a clear favourite of the fans and drivers alike. The track could see two time winner Lewis Hamilton wrap up is third World Championship and his second in a row this weekend.
The Brit leads the world championship by 66 points from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel who jumped ahead of fellow German Nico Rosberg after Rosberg's DNF in Russia. Hamilton only has to outscore Vettel by 9 points and Rosberg by 3 in the US to take the title.
If Hamilton was to take the title this weekend it would please Ecclestone "He's wonderful. He exposes Formula One. All people like him. I think he genuinely wants to do good things for Formula One. I think he appreciates the business he is in". Victory for Hamilton would put him third on the all time F1 win list with 43 victories only behind Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher.
These comments about America come just a week before the 4th Grand Prix at COTA which has been a big success as far and is a clear favourite of the fans and drivers alike. The track could see two time winner Lewis Hamilton wrap up is third World Championship and his second in a row this weekend.
The Brit leads the world championship by 66 points from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel who jumped ahead of fellow German Nico Rosberg after Rosberg's DNF in Russia. Hamilton only has to outscore Vettel by 9 points and Rosberg by 3 in the US to take the title.
If Hamilton was to take the title this weekend it would please Ecclestone "He's wonderful. He exposes Formula One. All people like him. I think he genuinely wants to do good things for Formula One. I think he appreciates the business he is in". Victory for Hamilton would put him third on the all time F1 win list with 43 victories only behind Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher.